Whilst away on my eventful holidays the IWB Challenge was resurrected. I couldn't wait to get home (I know but have you read about my holidays!) and get myself signed up for it.
As a previous participant of the IWB Challenge, set up bu Jess McCulloch in April / May I discovered that there is so much more that the IWB can do other than show Powerpoints, I figured that taking part in this new, longer and more challenging (to me) challenge could only do me (and my pupils) good.
I'm really looking forward to learning what more the board can do for my teaching and my pupils.
For me, it's really important to get them involved and have them come to the front to participate. I know that others in my department disagree, feeling that it demotives other pupils when only a few get to come up and do things. My answer to that is that I am sure there are severaly members of each class who would be mortified if they had to do anything in front of the class (as I would have been as a pupil)...however this kind of activity can build their confidence and also if the pupils know that everyone who wants a turn will get a turn in the course of time they won'd mind not being chosen straight away. During the last IWB Challenge, some of my best lessons were with a class of 31, most of whom were boys. They were so well motivated I couldn't believe it (although it was chaotic and very loud)...the main thing was though that they were engaging with the lesson and with the language (something I struggled to get them to do during activities involving textbooks).
I will be blogging about by successes (and failures) as the term progresses.
As a previous participant of the IWB Challenge, set up bu Jess McCulloch in April / May I discovered that there is so much more that the IWB can do other than show Powerpoints, I figured that taking part in this new, longer and more challenging (to me) challenge could only do me (and my pupils) good.
I'm really looking forward to learning what more the board can do for my teaching and my pupils.
For me, it's really important to get them involved and have them come to the front to participate. I know that others in my department disagree, feeling that it demotives other pupils when only a few get to come up and do things. My answer to that is that I am sure there are severaly members of each class who would be mortified if they had to do anything in front of the class (as I would have been as a pupil)...however this kind of activity can build their confidence and also if the pupils know that everyone who wants a turn will get a turn in the course of time they won'd mind not being chosen straight away. During the last IWB Challenge, some of my best lessons were with a class of 31, most of whom were boys. They were so well motivated I couldn't believe it (although it was chaotic and very loud)...the main thing was though that they were engaging with the lesson and with the language (something I struggled to get them to do during activities involving textbooks).
I will be blogging about by successes (and failures) as the term progresses.
Do your students have little slates of their own? Not IWB, just chalk or dry erase? At Tanglin Trust School here in Singapore, they've been using IWBs for a number of years and they rarely have the class watch one student at the board. Everyone tries on their slate and then someone comes up to show their thinking and allow others to check their work. That way, everyone is involved.
ReplyDeleteNow that is what I try to do and it is great!
Do your students have little slates of their own? Not IWB, just chalk or dry erase? At Tanglin Trust School here in Singapore, they've been using IWBs for a number of years and they rarely have the class watch one student at the board. Everyone tries on their slate and then someone comes up to show their thinking and allow others to check their work. That way, everyone is involved. Now that is what I try to do and it is great!
ReplyDelete